Neuroimmune Responses to Exercise in Chronic Back Pain

What this study is about

The goal of this mechanistic clinical trial is to learn how physical exercise affects the body and brain in people with chronic low back pain. The study will examine whether a 12-week online exercise program changes these measures compared with a waitlist group. Researchers will also study immune activity and brain function in people with chronic low back pain and compare them with healthy participants. Participants will complete questionnaires, provide blood samples, and undergo brain imaging scans.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Have a diagnosis of chronic primary LBP, according to the criteria established by NIH Task Force on Research Standards for CLBP (Deyo et al., 2015). This will be determined by 1) the response to the National Institutes of Health minimum dataset for CLBP (NIH-md), including that LBP has been persistent for at least 3 months or recurrent for at least half of the days in the past 6 months, and 2) the results of a complete case history and physical examination (including functional tasks, quantitative sensory testing, and, if needed, neuro-orthopedic, palpation and range of motion assessments);
• Report a CLBP intensity of at least 4 in a 0-10 numerical rating scale (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum possible pain).

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Be over 18 years and under 75 years of age;

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Present any red flags indicative of serious pathology comorbid or as the cause of CLBP (Finucane et al., 2020);
• Have a CLBP phenotype characterized by predominant nociceptive (as in fracture, infection, malignancy, inflammatory or rheumatic spondyloarthropathy, cauda equina syndrome, confirmed by MRI when suspected) or neuropathic pain mechanisms, the latter assessed through score in the DN4 questionnaire (Nijs, et al., 2024);
• Present chronic or acute pain of higher intensity or perceived disability in any other body site than the low back;
• Medical history of diabetes, neurological or psychiatric disorder;
• Presence of significant cardiorespiratory problems or any other potential contraindications to physical exercise as assessed through the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+);
• Following a regular structured PE training program (>60 min/week) at study's onset, and;
• Presence of any contraindications to MRI examination (including any metallic implants or devices, being pregnant, and claustrophobia).

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Have symptoms or a diagnosis of any acute or chronic pain conditions;
• Medical history of diabetes, neurological or psychiatric disorder;
• Presence of significant cardiorespiratory problems or any other potential contraindications to physical exercise as assessed through the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+);
• Following a regular structured PE training program (>60 min/week) at study's onset, and;
• Presence of any contraindications to MRI examination (including any metallic implants or devices, being pregnant, and claustrophobia).

Where this trial is running

• Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Who to contact

Carlos Gevers Montoro, PhD · +1-8199790448 · carlos.geversmontoro@mcgill.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT07497425.